"Just a bit?" Arnold raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with mirth and the last syllable drawn out, "That ans it’s not cold enough yet."
Hannah looked at him, her lips forming a straight line, offering no response.
Arnold gave in after a second, "Just kidding, sorry."
The apology ca swiftly, but the tone was so casually dismissive it was almost asking for a smack.
Hannah turned her head away, refusing to deal with him.
Arnold sat up a bit straighter, the careless smile on his face sowhat reined in, and he pocketed the lighter he was fiddling with. He seed to choose his words carefully as he asked, "Really cold?"
Hannah was looking down, her ponytail drooping listlessly over her shoulders.
The temperature had dropped too quickly, especially with the heavy rain. So people were still caught outside in short sleeves.
But Hannah was a bit better off, she had worn a jacket.
Arnold was wearing one too.
After a while, the young girl’s voice ca through, muffled, "It’s cold."
It really was very cold.
Especially in the empty room, where the cold from outside rushed in eagerly as if trying to cling onto one’s skin.
Following the clichés of romance dramas, what cos next would either be the boy draping his jacket over the girl, or the two huddling together for warmth.
Either way, it’s the kind of scene that makes one’s heart race.
Sure enough, Arnold made his move.
He stood up, first setting down the backpack that was slung over his shoulder.
Hannah didn’t look up, just watched the blurry shadow on the ground and a smile curved on her lips.
Arnold sat back down, passing sothing over.
The young man cleared his throat twice as if to steady his rapidly beating heart, his voice a bit deep and slightly husky, "Or maybe—"
Hannah tried hard to suppress the upward curve of her mouth, appearing sowhat shy.
After a pause, he continued, "—wear the backpack?"
Hannah: "..."
She lifted her head, and sure enough, saw the backpack he was holding.
The romantic pink bubble instantly burst.
He was serious when he made the suggestion, and saw nothing wrong with it, casually adding, "If you’re still cold, you could take out the exam papers and drape them over yourself. It might not be too warm, but it can block the wind."
Hannah’s smile faded, while Arnold was seriously contemplating this idea.
Just as he was about to actually pull out the exam papers, Hannah quickly stopped him, "No need, I’m not cold anymore."
"Really not cold anymore?"
"Yeah." Hannah forced a grin, "Your nonsense made dizzy with anger, now I’m actually feeling quite warm."
After saying that, she turned around, facing Arnold with the back of her head.
She had had a tiny bit of expectation just monts ago.
Turns out all that heart-stirring and thoughtfulness was a farce.
Was he doing this on purpose?
To get back at her for making him drink two bowls of silver fungus soup earlier?
Hannah felt both amused and annoyed, and could only bury her face in her arms.
Arnold was taken aback, thinking she was crying.
No...could it be?
"New student...Hannah?"
It was the first ti he called her by her na, his voice unconsciously softened on the way out, carrying a sense of bewildernt.
Hannah ignored him.
Arnold could only slide closer in her direction, stopping just short of touching her, "Are you mad?"
"No." Hannah shook her head, her voice sounding hoarse.
Was she really crying?
"I was just...just kidding with you, I’m sorry." He had never coaxed any girl with such a low voice before.
The apology carried an unnatural note, but his expression was very patient.
It seed like more rain was drifting in from outside the window.
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